The mission of the Music Education program is to prepare outstanding music educators for lifelong careers inspiring today’s youth. Our undergraduate program provides a core of knowledge and skills, enhanced by applied learning experiences that ready our graduates for contemporary and current educational practices. Our faculty members are cutting-edge teacher/scholars with national certifications in Orff Schulwerk and Kodaly. They are active scholars and researchers, particularly in the areas of instrumental music, jazz education, choral music, Kodaly, Orff Schulwerk, Laban Movement Analysis, and vocal pedagogy. Graduates move on to be successful general, choral and instrumental music educators in Missouri and in the states of Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska, and often continue their education in successful graduate programs all over the United States.
As of 2019, the BME degree sequence was overhauled to best meet the needs of the 21st century music educator, as well as shorten the time required to complete the degree. Most students are able to complete the BME in five (5) total semesters.
All music major degree programs have a concert/recital attendance applied learning activity requirement. To complete the degree, the student must attend 12 approved performances each semester for a total of 6 semesters. This is in addition to all coursework for any music major degree. Attendance requirements and an approved listing of concerts/recitals are provided at the beginning of each regular semester.
CONCENTRATIONS
If instrumental music is your passion, you can tailor your music education degree with the concentration that matches your interest.
BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN EDUCATION DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for the Bachelor of Music in Education degree must participate in one major ensemble each semester with the exception of the student teaching semester. Candidates for the Bachelor of Music in Education degree must complete 4 credits in 300-level “Applied Music-Major Instrument” requirements for graduation.
Requires a core of 49 credits in music courses plus additional credits in the area of concentration.
If vocal music is your passion, you can tailor your music education degree with the concentration that matches your interest.
BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN EDUCATION VOCAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for the BME-Vocal degree must complete 45 hours in the major core, 17 hours in the concentration, and 33 hours in the professional education sequence. The BME additionally requires passing the Missouri Content Area Assessment in music (MOCA) prior to student teaching.
Music (Bachelor of Music in Education, B.M.E.)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies 1 | ||
| 42-47 | ||
| Core Requirements | ||
| MUS 100 | Concert/Recital Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 103 | Fundamentals of Music | 2 |
| MUS 106 | Basic Keyboard Skills I | 2 |
| MUS 108 | Basic Keyboard Skills II | 2 |
| MUS 115 | Musicianship I | 3 |
| MUS 116 | Musicianship I Lab | 1 |
| MUS 215 | Musicianship II | 3 |
| MUS 216 | Musicianship II Lab | 1 |
| MUS 320 | Elementary Music Methods and Materials | 3 |
| MUS 362 | History of Western Music I: Ancient to Classical | 3 |
| MUS 363 | History of Western Music II: Romanticism to the 21st Century | 3 |
| MUS 348 | Music of World Cultures | 1 |
| MUS 366 | Musicianship III | 3 |
| MUS 367 | Musicianship III Lab | 1 |
| MUS 368 | Musicianship IV | 2 |
| MUS 490 | Senior Recital | 1 |
| or MUS 491 | Senior Recital | |
| MUS 1XX | Applied Lessons: Major and Secondary | 3 |
| MUS 2XX | Applied Lessons | 1 |
| MUS 3XX | Applied Lessons (2 semesters) | 2 |
| MUS 4XX | Applied Lessons | 1 |
| MUS XXX | Large Ensembles 2 | 5 |
| MUS XXX | Chamber Ensembles 2 | 2 |
| Concentration | ||
| Select one of the following concentrations: | 17-19 | |
Instrumental | ||
Vocal | ||
| Education Professional Sequence | ||
| Students must complete the Professional Sequence | 36 | |
| 1 | Music majors must take one of the following: HUM 203 Humanities: Ancient and Medieval or HUM 204 Humanities: Middle Ages to the French Revolution or HUM 205 Humanities: American Revolution to the Present or ENG 210 Approaches to Literature or ART 100Introduction to Art or THR 113 Introduction to Theatre for NASM accreditation. |
| 2 | One semester of orchestra and one of a jazz ensemble are required. |
Concentrations:
Instrumental
Vocal
Additional Teaching Certification
Instrumental Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 109 | Functional Voice Class | 2 |
| MUS 206 | Keyboard Proficiency for Instrumentalists | 2 |
| MUS 211 | Brass Methods and Materials | 2 |
| MUS 307 | Percussion Methods and Materials | 2 |
| MUS 308 | String Methods and Materials | 2 |
| MUS 325 | Marching Band Techniques | 1 |
| MUS 353 | Woodwind Methods and Materials | 2 |
| MUS 442 | Instrumental Conducting | 3 |
| MUS 468 | Middle and High School Instrumental Methods | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 19 | |
Vocal Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| MUS 111 | Functional Instrumental Techniques | 2 |
| MUS 201 | Diction for Singers | 3 |
| MUS 208 | Keyboard Proficiency for Vocalists | 2 |
| MUS 328 | Song and Choral Literature | 2 |
| MUS 334 | Pedagogical Practices: Voice | 2 |
| MUS 441 | Choral Conducting | 3 |
| MUS 467 | Middle and High School Choral Methods | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 17 | |
Additional Teaching Certification
The department strongly recommends additional teaching certification for all BME music majors.
Candidates for the Bachelor of Music in Education degree with a Vocal Concentration may achieve state instrumental certification with the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 211 | Brass Methods and Materials | 2 |
| MUS 307 | Percussion Methods and Materials | 2 |
| MUS 308 | String Methods and Materials | 2 |
| MUS 353 | Woodwind Methods and Materials | 2 |
| MUS 442 | Instrumental Conducting | 3 |
| MUS 468 | Middle and High School Instrumental Methods | 3 |
| Applied Music (instrumental) course(s) | 2 | |
| Ensemble (instrumental) course(s) | 2 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Candidates for the Bachelor of Music in Education degree with an Instrumental Concentration may achieve state vocal certification with the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 201 | Diction for Singers | 3 |
| MUS 301 | Advanced Diction for Singers | 2 |
| MUS 328 | Song and Choral Literature | 2 |
| MUS 441 | Choral Conducting | 3 |
| MUS 467 | Middle and High School Choral Methods | 3 |
| Applied Music (voice) course(s) | 4 | |
| Music Ensemble (vocal) course(s) | 2 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 19 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 CED credit hours applicable).
- Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in upper-division courses. Lower-division transfer courses accepted as meeting upper-division departmental course requirements cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
- Earn 30 of the last 45 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
- Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments.
- Earn a grade of C or higher in all major coursework.
- Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.75, a major GPA of 3.0 and a minimum 3.0 GPA in Education coursework.
- Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement.
- Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam.
Are you ready to declare this major? Download, sign and submit the form(s) to the Music Department.
- Major: B.M.E. Music/Vocal Concentration
- Pre-Major: B.M.E. Music/Vocal Concentration
Mapping your degree plan is important. Consult with your academic advisor to create a plan and monitor it regularly.